Stain-removing compound



Patented Mar. 16, 1%26.

UNITED STATES ALBERT E. MQORE, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

STAIN-REMOVING COMPOUND.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT E.'Moonn, a citizen of the United 'States of America, and resident of the cityv of Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stain-Removing Compounds, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a detergent compound intended for use to remove stains caused by fruit and vegetable juices from the skin, particularly from the hands.

In particular my invention is designed as a compound for the use of florists and gardeners, to remove from their hands the loose dirt, but more especially to remove the stains received in the handling of plants and cut flowers. It is also useful in the kitchen to remove from the hands the stains caused through handling, paring, and otherwise preparing fruits and vegetables, as potatoes, tomatoes, peaches, and berries, for example.

My invention comprises the compound hereinafter set forth and claimed, and in substantially the proportions stated, although it will be understood that the proportions are capable of substantial variations, although perhaps with lessening of the efficiency and intensity of the compound as the proportions are more widely varied from those which are the preferred proportions.

The ingredients included in the present compound are as follows, the proportions given being by weight :Gitric acid, 45%; pumice stone, 45%; cuttle-fish bone, 10%; satchet powder, essential perfume oils, or like scenting substances, a very small amount.

The three essential ingredients, the citric acid, pumice stone and cuttle-fish bone, are taken in powdered form and are mixed together in this form to provide a powder, which when added to water and worked up on the hands will form a lather which penetrates the cracks and crevices of the hand, and thus by its combined mechanical and chemical action removes the loose dirt and the stains. The citric acid appears to act chemically upon the stains to permit their removal, while the pumice stone appearslto act mechanically to remove the constituents of the stains thus attacked and to remove the loose dirt; the cuttle-fish bone acts as a binder t9 ho the ether a e d ent Application filed July 16, 1925. Serial No. 44,114.

together to form a lather and thus to introduce the other two ingredients into the cracks and crevices of the hands so that they may act directly upon the stains and dirt. v

The citric acid employed may be a commercial grade, not necessarily chemically pure, and as stated above, in powdered form. The pumice I prefer to use is of a grade known to the trade as 3F, which isthe grade supplied commercially, although coarser grades may be used. The liner the pumice stone the more readily it will penetrate the small crevices and the less harsh will be its effect on the skin. The cuttle-lish bone, as explained above, is supplied in powdered form. The scenting ingredient is, of course, not essential, but its use is preferable in order to leave the hands pleasingly scented. If satchet powder or a like powdered scent is employed this may be added in the powdered form when mixing the other three ingredients. If oils are employed these may be added to the ground pumice stone, which is then dried and again powdered.

The compound so formed will readily and quickly remove from the hands, etc, stains of the class described. It will not, however, attack grease, and for that reason should not be used as a substitute for soap; rather it is to be used as an aid to soap, the soap re moving the greases and the greater proportion of the surface dirt, and the present compound removing the stains and the dirt which has been ground in. The present compound is altogether harmless to the texture of the skin.

The present compound can be used as a base for a paste and for this purpose may be mixed with water. It is not preferred to make such a paste with it except for immediate use, as the citric acid apparently is affected by the water and appears to lose its strength if so mixed and kept for any considerable period. It will not mix readily with oils, glycerine, soap, or any greasy material. Preferably it is made and used as a powder, a small amount being taken on the hands, moistened, and then rubbed over the entire surface. It is not intended to be used to remove stains from cloth, although it will remove the same stains, as fruit juices, for example, from the hands.

As has been noted, the proportions given abo e are P fer ed. b t a y one of these can be Varied five per cent in either direction without materially afiecting the action of the compound. Further variation of the proportions, however, will so materially lessen the effect of the compound by making it slower to act, that such further variation is not desirable. However, it will be evident that where this is not a material drawback, the proportions may be widely varied from those given above, and still approximate results obtained in that manner.

\Vhat I claim my invention is:

1. A compound for the purpose specified,

comprising the following ingredients in substantially the proportions, as follows: Powdered citric acid, 4050%; powdered pumice stone, 40-50%; powdered cuttle-fish bone, 5-1592.

2. A compound for the purpose speci fied, comprising 45% of citric acid, 45% of finely ground pumice stone, and 10% of powdered cuttle-fish bone, mixed and in powdered form.

Signed at Seattle, King County, Washington this 10th day of July, 1925.

, ALBERT E. MOORE. 

